The Princess Series: A Cinderella Story
Fifteenth Shot
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Cinderella Tuazon
Nagising akong maaga kinabukasan. Oo, umaga na naman. We spent most of yesterday making love and we only ate dinner before getting at it again. Ang sakit na nga ng ibabang parte ng katawan ko at kahit walong oras higit na ang tulog ko ay pagod padin ako. But nevertheless, I unwrapped myself from Richard's embrace and put a pillow in my place. Agad niya yung niyakap kaya naman napangiti ako. I grabbed a robe and went straight for the shower to ease some of my tiredness.
Nung natapos na ako, nagsuot lang ako ng shorts at yung jersey ni Richard bago lumabas ng kwarto at dumiretso sa kusina. One thing only few people knew about me is that I cook and bake. More on baking ako dahil sa tiya ko pero hindi naman ako pagdating sa pagluluto. Sure, I pretend I don't know how to sometimes. Tinatamad kasi ako madalas at tsaka lang ako nagluluto kapag gusto ko yung tao. I've only cooked thrice in my life: Nung 50th birthday ni tita Cassy, when Clishique celebrated it's fifth year, and when the bitter bitch--Jasmine--cried because of her damned ex.
Now, I was cooking for my fiancé.
"Erella?!" Napatalon ako sa gulat nung bigla nalang sumigaw si Richard at nasapo ko ang dibdib ko ng wala sa oras. "Erella!"
"Nasa kusina!" sigaw ko pabalik at dahan-dahan na nilagay yung ginawa kong chicken friend rice sa lamesa. Nakarinig ako ng yabag at nung dinig ko ang pagsinghap niya, tumingala ako at ngumiti. "Good morning, babe."
He was looking at the breakfast I prepared and then me. "You made me breakfast?" di-makapaniwalang tanong niya sakin and I giggled, walking up to him.
I kissed his lips. "Yes. Okay ba presentation?" biro ko sakanya but he was just staring at me. Napasinghap ako nung walang sabing hinapit niya ako sa bewang at binaon ang mukha niya sa leeg ko, nuzzling it. He sighed in content and I put my arms around him. "Richard."
He kissed my shoulder at humiwalay ng konti para magsalubong ang tingin namin. He smiled at me. "As much as I love seeing you cook for me in the morning, I prefer waking up beside you."
Ngumuso ako. "Ang arte mo," sambit ko sakanya.
Tumawa naman siya at niyakap ako ng mas mahigpit. "Mahal na mahal kita, Erella."
I smiled and hugged him back. "Alam ko na 'yan. Kumain na nga tayo," kunwaring inis na sabi ko at tinulak na siya. He mocked a pout and I kissed his lips tapos ay pinagsilbihan ko siya.
All my life, ako ang inaalagaan at inaarugaan. My dad never let me raise a finger; my maids won't let me do things because I was a 'princess'; my aunt still treating me a baby hanggang ngayon; my cousin spoiling me to death. So I cared for my friends instead, kay Ariel madalas. Pero ngayon, while looking at Richard eat the food I cooked and enjoy it, I felt happy and I realized I wanted to take care of him for the rest of my life--how long may that be.
"What're you looking at?" kunot-noong tanong niya sakin kaya naman natatawang pinaghiwalay ko ang magkasalubong na kilay niya. Napanguso siya.
I smiled and shook my head. "I just really wanted to take care of you for the rest of my life," sabi ko at nakita kong napangiti nadin siya.
He held my hand and kissed the back of it. "Which reminds me," sabi niya at may kinuha sa bulsa niya. I gasped in shock when I saw a velvet box. He didn't wait for me to process it and instantly opened the box--and the most beautiful ring was there.
It was simple yet elegant and attention-worthy. Silver ang band nito na may golden linings and there was a beautiful crown made of diamonds in the middle. Naramdaman kong naiiyak na ako at hindi ko 'yun napigilan lalo na nung ilagay ni Richard ang singsing sa daliri ko. A perfect fit. Just like us.
Pinunasan ko ang luha ko at tumawa. "Bakit crown? Ang corny mo," piyok na biro ko dahil sobrang emotional na ako.
He kissed my engagement ring. "Because you're a princess," sabi niya kaya mas natawa ako. "Tapos sa kasal natin, I'll let someone engrave a bigger crown on your ring. Because then, you'll be my queen."
Kahit naiiyak ay tumawa ako. I pushed his face ayaw and he chuckled. "Ang corny mo! Ew."
He winked at me and I bit my lip. "Ang hot mo," balik naman niya kaya mas lalong natawa ako sakanya.
"Sus. Kumain ka na nga, 'Chard. Ang dami po pang satsat d'yan eh," ani ko at kumuha ng scrambled eggs at naglagay sa plato ko at plato niya. He was done eating his pancakes.
He smiled. "What's the plan for today, babe?" tanong niya sakin tapos sumandal sa upuan niya habang pinapanood akong ipaghain siya. He had this smile on his face that makes me think that he was happy. Napangiti nadin ako dahil masaya ako, even with nothing special happening right now. I'm damn happy.
"I have to go to TZone today," sabi ko at napasimangot nung maalala ko kung gano karaming papeles ang kailangan kong tapusin. Sobrang nag-concentrate ako sa kasal ni Sandra na nakalimutan kong pinapatakbo ko pa pala ang isang negosyo na may 500 employees sa kada branch. I sighed. "Ang dami ko palang gagawin."
Richard looked at me. "Do you need help? I can call in sick and--"
"No," putol ko sakanya. "Ang dami mo nang leave sa office and I know you have tons to do as well," dagdag ko nung sumimangot siya. I smiled at him. "Thank you for the concern pero tapusin na muna natin yung mga responsibilidad natin sa mga negosyo natin, okay? We need to finish a lot of work lalo na't ikakasal nadin tayo."
He sighed in defeat tapos ay hinawakan ang kamay ko tsaka 'yun hinagkan. "Mami-miss kita nyan," nakasimangot na angal niya kaya naman natawa ako sakanya.
"Babe, uuwi padin ako sayo. Magkikita naman tayo sa gabi eh," ani ko sakanya.
"Pero hindi naman kita masyadong makikita eh," angal niya parin at unti-unti na naman akong naiinis pero pilit kong hinahabaan ang pasensya ko. "Siguradong late kang uuwi at maaga aalis. Sino magluluto ng umagahan?"
I huffed. "Richard, may help naman tayo. Tsaka, tabi naman padin tayo matutulog eh. We just won't see each other frequently," sabi ko at kumain.
"Gusto nga kitang makita lagi," inis na usal niya kaya naman nagpaikot ako ng mata. Minsan talaga napaka-immature ni Richard pero ewan ko ba, mahal ko padin siya kahit ganyan siya. Baliw nadin siguro ako.
"Temporary lang naman, 'Chard. We need to make sacrifices, okay?" malumay na sambit ko at tinapos ang iniinom kong kape. "Hindi na ako sasabay sayo, babe, I need to go to Clishique first before TZone. How about we have dinner together mamaya?"
Labag sa loob na tumango ito. "Susunduin kita ng 6pm," sagot niya at tumayo nadin.
Kumunot ang noo ko at napasimangot ako. "7pm, babe," paglambing ko sakanya at niyakap siya sa bewang. I looked up at him at nakasimangot padin siya kaya naman natawa ako at hinalikan ang baba niya. Napangiti siya agad.
"Hindi talaga kita matiis eh," sabi niya at hinalikan ako sa labi. Natawa naman ako nung humiwalay siya. "Sige, I'll pick you up at 7pm sharp. After that, no more work-related shits."
Ngumisi ako. "Of course, Mr. Andres."
Hinalikan niya ang noo ko. "I love you, Mrs. Richard Andres," bulong naman niya.
I smiled. "Miss Tuazon," pagtama ko sa sinabi niya at humigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sakin. Napasinghap ako nung bigla niyang lamasin ang pang-upo ko kaya naman natatawang hinampas ko ang balikat niya. "Ikaw, manyak! Ang aga-aga," kunwaring inis na sabi ko at lumayo ng konti sakanya.
He grinned with mischief. "I'll seduce you in staying home!" biglang bulalas niya kaya naman nanlaki ang mata ko at mabilis na tinampal ko ang labi niya. Tumawa siya. "What? Ang gandang idea nun! Lalandiin nalang kita ulit," sabi niya tapos pilit akong hinahapit pero lumalayo ako.
I looked at him sternly. "Richard Andres, tumigil ka," seryosong saad ko at napanguso siya. "I have a responsibility to do and you're making it harder for me. I need to finish all my current commitments before entering another one, okay? So please work with me here and cooperate."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Ayoko lang naman na mawala ka sa paningin ko," mahinang usal niya kaya naman napakunot ang noo ko. Tumingala siya at sinalubong ang tingin ko. "Ayokong gawin mo din yung ginawa ng kaibigan mo. Ayokong iwan mo lang din ako bigla kasi... kasi..."
I sighed and approached him. I hugged him at umiwas naman siya ng tingin. Kaya naman pala ayaw akong palayuin sakanya eh, takot naman pala ang mokong. I chuckled at the thought. "Richard, hindi kita iiwan. Mahal kita--"
"Diba mahal din naman ni Ariel si Eric?" putol niya sakin kaya naman napatango ako.
"Pero hindi naman siya mahal ni Eric," kontra ko sa sinabi niya. "Eh tayo, mahal natin ang isa't isa. Kaya huwag kang mag-alala."
Sumimangot siya. "Mahal naman ni Eric si Ariel ah?" usal niya kaya nagtatakang napatingin ako sakanya. He shrugged. "I'm a guy, I know things girls will never know."
I rolled my eyes and pecked his lips. "I need to go, babe. I'll see you later. I love you," mabilis na sambit ko at humiwalay na sakanya.
"Mag-text ka sakin every hour ah," rinig kong sigaw niya kaya naman nasapo ko ang noo ko. Richard talaga!
"Oo!" sigaw ko at mabilis na pumasok sa CR para maligo.
"I love you, babe!" sigaw ulit niya at napailing ako tsaka napangiti. Hindi ko nalang siya sinagot at naligo na lamang ako.
=•=
"Ayoko nga," inis na sabi ko sa telepono habang inaayos ang mga folders na nasa desk ko. It was the hourly phone call with Richard and he was flirting with me! Goodness.
{ Babe, bakit ba? Miss na kita. } angal niya sa kabilang linya. I rolled my eyes.
"Horny mo kamo," wika ko at binuksan ang isang business proposal from a company in Madrid.
Tumawa si Richard sa kabilang linya. { Phone sex lang naman, babe. I-try natin. } pangungumbinsi niya pero ayoko talaga. I know that once I start welcoming and responding to his flirting ay mabilis pa sa kuneho na iiwan ko ang trabaho ko just to go to his office and we'll probably spend the whole day in the room connected to his office. Ayoko nun. Madami pa akong kailangang gawin.
"Richard, tumigil ka. I need to go," sabi ko and I heard him groan in annoyance. Napatawa ako ng mahina. "I love you. See you at seven?"
{ Fine. }
I chuckled and leaned back on my chair. "Nag-I love you po ako," pang-aasar ko sakanya.
He sighed. { I love you po. }
I smiled and gestured for my secretary to wait for a minute. Mukhang madadagdagan pa ang trabaho ko. "I really need to go, babe. I'll see you later on and I'll make sure"--I toned down my voice in a seductive tone--"you'll be immensely pleased when I do a strip tease in front you and suck your dick. Then I'll straddle you and ride you until you come inside me, and after you reach your peak, I will sit on your face and let you lick my pussy--"
He groaned. { Fuck. }
Tumawa ako. "I love you."
{ Love you, baby. }
I ended the call and laughed, motioning my secretary to approach me with four more folders in hand. Napangiwi nalang ako nung makita ko kung gano pa karami ang kailangan kong gawin pero naganahan naman ako nung maalala ko kung ano ang gagawin ko sa fiancé ko pag-uwi namin.
Oh, I can't fucking wait.
=•=
Pinipigilan kong hindi matawa nung nakita kong kanina pa gustong matapos ni Richard ang dinner namin and he keeps on shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Alam kong matigas padin ang pagkalalaki niya and I can't help but swell with pride with the knowledge na ako ang dahilan ng iyon. I couldn't help but laugh out loud nung ngumiwi siya at agad napatingin samin ang mga tao. I murmured an apology and faced a glaring Richard.
"Pag-uwi natin, I'll make you do the things you told me," diin na sabi niya kaya naman tumaas ang kilay ko.
"Oh, sweetie," I said in a voice of a seductress; "I plan to do more."
He visibly gulp kaya mas natawa ako. "Stop," he hissed.
Kumunot ang noo ko at madaling tinabihan siya. Umusog siya papalayo pero mas lumapit lang ako. I hugged his arm and let my hand rest on his lap. Napatingin siya dun at napalunok na naman siya. I kissed his shoulder and turned to my food. I grabbed my plate and slid it closer to me tapos kumain na. "Just eat, Richard," utos ko kaya naman bumuntong-hininga siya at umayos ng upo. Dahilan para mapatong ang kamay ko sa crotch area niya. Napasinghap siya at lihim na napangisi naman ako.
"Babe, remove your hand," bulong niya sakin pero tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay. I looked away and innocently squeezed his boner. He gasped and bit his lip. "Sweet, sweet Erella, please don't do this to me right now."
I chuckled and faced him. "I love you."
Tumango siya at pumikit tapos sunod-sunod na huminga ng malalim. "I love you," nahihirapang sambit niya kaya naman kinuha ko na ang kamay ko. He sighed in relief and I raised a brow in amusement.
Napailing nalang ako at tinawag ang server namin. "Bill, please," sabi ko sakanya at mabilis naman siyang tumango at pumunta sa computer.
"You're done eating?" tanong ni Richard na nasa tabi ko. Tumingin ako sakanya at nakita kong kunot na naman ang noo niya.
Pinaghiwalay ko yun gamit ang mga daliri ko tapos ay ngumiti ako sakanya. "Yeah. My fiancé isn't enjoying dinner," saad ko naman at nanlaki ang mata niya.
"We don't have to go, babe. Sorry, it's just that..." he trailed off and bit his lip kaya naman natawa ako sakanya. Ang cute cute ng mokong na 'to. And all those cuteness belong to me.
"Okay lang, Richard," malumay na ani ko at kinuha yung bill mula sa waiter. "I want dessert anyway," pilyong usal ko at kinindatan siya.
"Let me pay then," mabilis na sabi niya kaya napahagikhik ako.
I signed the bill and put my money. "I already paid, babe. Ako naman manlibre--ikaw nalang lagi," nakangusong sambit ko kaya naman mabilis na hinalikan niya ako sa labi. Natawa na naman ako at hinampas siya sa balikat.
Umirap siya sakin. "I'm the man, I pay."
I rolled my eyes. "Tumigil ka, Richard. No sexist in this relationship, okay? Hindi naman nakakabakla na hayaan mong manlibre ang babae," sabi ko at inabot yung bill sa isang passing waiter. I stood up and Richard instantly wrapped an arm around my waist and lead me outside.
"Gusto lang naman kitang i-spoil," dahilan niya at kinurot ko ang tagiliran niya.
"Spoil me somewhere else," sabi ko at inosenteng ngumisi sakanya.
Napatawa naman siya at hinalikan ang gilid ng ulo ko. "Victoria Secret?"
"Para naman sayo yun eh!" angal ko at hinampas ang dibdib niya. Para-paraan niya. Eh siya din naman makikinabang kapag bumili ako ng lingerie eh. Utot niya.
He opened the door to his car for me. "I want to spoil you there," sabi pa niya. I rolled my eyes and entered the car.
Tumingala ako sakanya. "Gago!" asik ko at tumawa lang siya sakin. Sinara lang niya yung pinto at patakbong umikot tapos ay agad nagmaneho papunta sa unit niya. I had decided to live with him dahil wala nadin namang dahilan pa para umuwi ako sa Tuazon Mansion. I still own the property pero si Casper na ang naninirahan dun kasama ang girlfriend niya. Cassie and Gracie are no longer residents of Tuazon Mansion dahil pinalayas ko na sila. Last thing I've heard is that they now live in a small two-room apartment dahil hindi naman sila mayaman. The only money they have right now is the trust fund for Gracie and Cassie--it's not enough to last them a lifetime so they have to work. I am so happy for them.
"I love you, Erella," biglang sambit ni Richard kaya naman agad akong napangiti. It seems like hindi ako magsasawang pakinggan siyang sabihin na mahal niya ako. Siguro dahil ayoko din na magsawa siyang pakinggan akong sabihin na mahal ko din siya. I don't want that day to come.
I leaned in and kissed his cheeks. "Mahal din kita," mahinang sagot ko sakanya.
Ngumiti nalang siya at hinalikan ang likod ng kamay ko kaya naman napaupo ako ulit ng maayos.
This is usually the part wherein I say "Happily Ever After" -- but I choose not to. Hindi pa ito ang moment ko, hindi pa ito yung time na talagang masasabi kong okay na ang lahat.
My storybook life is just moving on the next chapter and uncovering more twists and turns. Princess Cinderella might've been content with a carriage pulled by horses to someplace -- but I don't have that carriage yet. At kung meron man, ayoko pang sumakay dahil ayoko pang matapos ang kwento ng buhay ko--ang kwento ng buhay namin ni Richard.
Kasing-bilis ng kuneho ang naging relasyon namin ni Richard pero kasing-tatag naman ng pagong ang pagmamahalan naming dalawa. And if ever I was given the chance to rewrite my story with him, I would still write kt the same way--with all the confusions and conflicts and imperfections and mistakes. Dahil kung mahal mo talaga ang isang tao, hindi ka basta-basta susuko at kahit na anong kagaguhan man ang gawin niya ay tatanggapin mo padin siya.
Love doesn't include a manual because you have to learn and do things on your own. Siguro blessings in disguise din ang pagkawala ng mga magulang ko dahil natuto akong maging independent, naging mas matatag ako at hindi ako natatakot sumubok. I gave Richard and mine's relationship a chance kahit alam kong may posibilidad na hindi kami ang end game. But here I am now, halfway to my happy ending.
Hindi lang pala sa libro nage-exist ang true love. Sa totoong buhay din pala.
And I found mine.
The End
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This is only a short story.
Past time lang po 'to so talagang hindi ko siya sineryoso masyado kaya sorry kung hindi ganon kaganda. I tried the best I could give on this book and if my best isn't enough, thank you padin kasi binasa niyo. I appreciate it.
Thank you for voting and commenting.
The next book to the series will be published soon and I hope you stay tuned for it!
Twitter: @mswannabe_watty
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